Shut Up & Kiss Me // BOYxBOY

Chapter Two //

        “Earth to Angel?” My friend Lance was waving his hand back and forth in front of my face. I slapped it down. “Dude, are you even listening?”

                “Nope,” I replied, popping the ‘p’. “I’m thinking ‘bout this project we have to do in art,” I added hastily, seeing his expression. I mean, it wasn’t a total lie. I was thinking about the project, just more so my project partner. What would drive someone so far off the edge they stopped speaking? Or was he born like that?

                “Oh yeah! I heard about that stupid project. Felix said you got partnered with Luce Lanta? Gothy’s mute brother?” I nodded, waving it off like it was nothing. Really, it was nothing to me. So far, the project seemed pretty fun! What really bugged me though was Lance’s complete lack of nicknaming skills for Evan Lanta. Gothy? The kid wasn’t even goth… “So, he really doesn’t talk at all?”

                “Nah, but he can write. That’s how we’ve been talking,” I explained. “He’s actually got awesome handwriting! It’s all loopy!”

                “I think you just had a girly moment, man…” He was laughing so hard he nearly fell of his chair. Maybe gushing over his handwriting was a bit girly, but it was awesome! He wrote in a series of fancy curls, spirals, and loops.

                “It’s pretty…” I managed to mumble. “Don’t judge me.”

                “Too late.” He smirked just as Mia slid into the seat next to him, across from me.

                “Too late for what?”

                “Your boyfriend is trying to deny the girly moment he just had. He was obsessing over Luce Lanta’s handwriting!” Lance snickered at the last sentence as though it was ever so incredulous that I thought his handwriting was pretty.

                “Luce Lanta? Aren’t you partnered with him for that art project or something?” She was twirling one of her blonde curls between her fingers as she spoke.

                “Yeah.” I smiled. “Since he can’t talk, he writes. His handwriting’s all looping and pretty!”

                “Not a girly moment, gay moment. Yeah, definitely a gay moment. You sure you aren’t gay, Ang?” She giggled.

                “And suddenly I prefer ‘girly moment’.” I fought to keep the grin on my face despite the twinge of fear that had just rang through my body. They don’t know anything, I reminded myself. I really wasn’t gay, but bisexual was close enough for them to inflict their punishments upon me. Lance would beat the crap out of me, and Mia would break up with me on the spot. Let’s just say anyone who’s not straight isn’t exactly accepted in our circle…

                “Good.” Lance nodded, satisfied. “So, Alex, did you see the game last night? It was epic! You know the…” I blocked out the rest of their conversation as I searched for two people: the Lanta brothers. I knew for a fact that they were the only two people was sat at the round table located in the back corner. Nobody else dared to sit there if fear of being deemed a social pariah. They weren’t there.

                A quick sweep of my eyes across the cafeteria found them. They were walking swiftly out the door into the hall, a look of great fear on both their faces. When I finally lost sight of them, I turned back to my friends.

                “Where’s Lance?” I asked, confused at his random disappearance.

                “Looking for that one goth kid,” Mia answered me, “Said he needed to take care of a few things with ‘em. It’s just the usual, Ang. Don’t look so confused.” Honestly, I liked Mia, I really did, but she could be a tad heartless at times. Then again, so could I.

                “I’m going to go find him, okay?”

                “Okay, baby! Don’t get in any trouble.” She stood as I did, leaned over the table, and landed a small kiss on my lips. I hurried away after, secretly whipping my lips off leaving myself with a smear of red lipstick on the side of my hand. Ew... I threw my remaining lunch away before heading out the door I’d seen Evan and Luce exit from.

                The hallway was empty except for a Naomi Kristofferson: a girl I’d rarely seen, but recognized because she had skipped a grade last year into ours.

                “Hey, did you see anyone come out here?” I asked, realizing she’d be my best way of figuring out which direction they’d taken. She didn’t even look up. “Naomi?” No reply. “Naomi!” I practically yelled. She looked startled, slipping her headphones off her head to her neck.

                “Me?” I nearly laughed at how shocked she looked.

                “Yes you.” I rolled my eyes. “Did you see anyone come out here?”

                “Oh, you’re lookin’ for your friend Lance? He took off thatta way after two guys.” She pointed to the left. “Say, you’re Angel Martinez, right?”

                “At your service, ma’am.” I winked, deciding I could put off finding them for a minute or two.

                “The Angel Martinez who people ask information from?” She had an odd accent for here; it sounded Southern.

                “Correction: the Angel Martinez who people buy information from.” I grinned slyly.

                “Yeah, same thin’,” she chuckled, “Any chance I could buy some off you?”

                “Whataya want to know?” I asked, grinning. “I know everything about everyone, so shoot away! Just remember, it’ll come at a price.”

                “How much would it cost me to ask how to find some people I’d fit in with?” That one was tough… Suddenly, I got an idea.

                “All you’ve got to do is follow me and help me find Lance, Evan, and Luce!”

                “Jus’ follow you and you’ll tell me?”

                “Just follow me, and you’ll be paid off and have your answer,” I explained. She looked deep in thought and momentarily suspicious but it passed and she climbed off the floor, grabbing her books.

                “Let’s get on with it then!” My grinned widened, and I held out my hand to her. She gently laced her fingers into mine and we began our search. I knew that being friendly would be the best way to get her help. “So, how’d you know my name? Nobody in this grade knows my name.”

                “I know everything about everyone, remember?” I laughed.

                “When’s my birthday?” she asked curiously.

                “August twelfth. Obviously.” Her expression shifted from curiosity to shock.

                “H-h-how did you…”

                “I told you I know everything about everyone,” I smirked. Honestly, that was a lie. I just knew a lot about everyone I thought I’d have to talk to and the gossip that involves them. Ultimately, it works.

                “Why are we trying to find them?”

                “You’ll see when we get there.” So will I, I added in my head.